Cries With Loud Voices
Writer Author Rita Sue Hanks
Christian Article
:
Salvation
- Fiction No
Psalm 34:6
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The deliverance of this demon possessed man, to me, seems to be one of the most astounding stories in God's word. I've personally thought on it at length because I had in my family history some very oppressed and tormented people.
I know that Christians who are able to love and minister to such people are very rare in the church of God. I'm sharing some observations about the example Jesus set for all believers through this demonstration. In the scriptural account, I find it amazing that Father God took his son into a distant city to minister healing and deliverance to one man; it seems that he had no other mission in this city.
I could not get off my mind the torment of this man. It was said that he "Cried with a loud voice" and fell at the feet of Jesus. I believe this man is an example of a "worst case" captivity to destructive powers. Violence and self destruction were manifestations of the spiritual evil which had him bound. He was a wild man. It's noted that no man could tame him, and that he was often crying and cutting himself. I think he must have never known the love and security of a stable and warm relationship. But, in spite of his torment, when the man saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and worshipped him. If we look closely and ask God for understanding we will see that the words he spoke to Jesus didn't seem to line up with what we would like to see in a needy man. He felt like Jesus was tormenting him! Yet, his act of bowing at the feet of Jesus was humility. Yes, his heart bowed, and God saw it.
The Gadarene Demoniac Healed
Mark 5:5
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
I noted his torment, and spent some time in some deep thinking on it. I think the man was a good example of the effects of generational curses handed down through bloodlines. But whatever the cause the spirit in a man cries out for deliverance and relief.
The devils were cast out....
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
The citizens of the city, after seeing this great miracle, then reacted with anger toward Jesus and even asked him to leave the city. I wonder, were these 2000 swine who were cast into the sea the source of income for the people of this city? What a strange thing for God to do, if that was so! Jesus did no get a warm reception here for all of his good deeds. Selah! Out of this whole city, one man was delivered from tormenting spirits.
14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
The healed man then begged Jesus if he could follow him, and Jesus told him "No" Jesus instructed him to go back to his home and testify to the great work that God had done for his good. God alone knows if the "no" of Jesus was a "not yet". I am inclined to believe if the man proved faithful to testify and continue to grow in his thanks and praise to God that he would have then been called to follow Jesus.That also makes me to think on how some leaders will put burdens on a man whom God has touched and begin to require of him legalistic duties which God has never called him to do. Jesus told his disciples to tarry and wait for the power on high. No man should go unless he has been equipped and sent by God.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Some may be offended by this word, and by such manifestations in real life people. Just as the people who lived in the city were. They saw a man delivered from a horrible tormenting possession by evil spirits, but for unknown reasons feared the power they saw demonstrated.
But many will see truth they have never before considered.
John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
It is also very humbling to the professing believer, as Jesus very plainly said that his children would do greater works than he was doing. When God sees spiritually ignorant and tormented human beings, he looks for sons and daughters who seek to walk in the image of his son who believe what scripture teaches and who have sought by sacrifice the obedience which brings the power and authority to deliver such demon possessed people from their torment.
I cannot at this time say for certain that all who serve God are expected to walk in the fullness of the power of Christ which would make these kinds of miracles possible. The parable of the sower teaches that there will be a 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold increase. But I do believe that we are all called to demonstrate the compassions of Christ toward such people, and to be open to whatever the Lord might choose to use us for to relieves the sufferings of others. Perhaps the Lord might choose to use us to point such people to an anointed disciple who had the power to bring deliverance. As the servant woman who told King Naaman the leper to see the prophet Elijah for healing of his leprosy. We can see that God is ever desiring to see men set free from their afflictions and can use our love and compassion for others to make a difference.
I also note that Jesus walked in the spirit without measure, and was able to perform this miracle in an instant. I believe any serious minister of the gospel will agree that we can see these kind of deliverances in a small beginning, gradual and progressive way, while expecting that as we come to full maturity, our power to deliver the tormented through heavenly love and faith will increase more and more.
I have often thought on the saying we hear in the world about "One man's trash is another man's treasure" That is so very truly the nature of God. While some human beings may seem as trash to some, he looks deep, sees respect for his son and sees treasure to be mined. I've also heard a saying in the world "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear", but I am learning that if God wanted to do that, he could. The truly wise man seeks the understandings of the Lord and never trusts in his own understandings without serious prayer and meditation.
Editor's Comment:
About the Writer Author
State:
Texas
Country:
USA
Email:
ritahanks@sbcglobal.net
Website:
www.facebook.com/rita.hanks
Profile:
Click here!
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